Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 306 is just...

"Are you worried about Thea?"

What was originally just a casual question turned out to be a confirmation of Pansy's "concern" due to Draco's continued silence.

"You're worried about Thea."

The first sentence was a surprised question, while the second sentence became a confident statement.

Draco, sensing the certainty in those words, slowly looked up at his childhood friend.

To be honest, he still hasn't come to the realization that Thea is getting engaged to Theodore.

Feeling lost?

Regret?

It seems like there's a bit of both.

But there can only be a little.

That was his sister, that was his friend.

"Sometimes I really don't understand what you guys are thinking."

Why would a group of rabbits worry about a tiger?

When Pansy asked that question, her eyes were filled with genuine doubt.

Fortunately, no one was around now, so Pansy started talking, her tone tinged with nostalgia, "You guys were all smarter than me when we were kids, and I knew that, so I just started to bully you..."

"But then, she appeared."

"She took the lead with an overwhelming force."

“Daphne is spineless, Zabini always cowers in the face of trouble, Theodore was beaten into submission, and you… well, with Auntie around, you wouldn’t dare go against her… only me…”

"I'm not convinced, I have to argue with her about everything, and I won't let her off the hook with my words."

"But do you remember how she punished me in the end?"

At this point, a hint of fear appeared in Pansy's eyes.

"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."

"Hasn't that broken glass on the train to school made you realize that she is, very, very extraordinary?!"

Pansy emphasized the word "very," her trembling voice betraying her fear.

"What normal child would threaten someone with shards of glass without batting an eye?"

"That 'killing the chicken to scare the monkey' move was really well done—"

Pan Xi drew out her words, finally uttering a few slowly.

"So why are you still not at ease?"

"How could something happen to that guy who dared to threaten people without batting an eye when he was only a teenager?"

"She only causes trouble for others."

Realizing she had said too much and Draco hadn't responded, Pansy felt like she was performing a one-woman show and had to end the conversation prematurely. After leaving behind a few words that could barely be considered words of comfort, she walked away.

Draco was jolted from his reverie by the chiming of the clock on the hour.

He moved his numb arms and shoulders, but his thoughts drifted away.

He listened to what Pansy said. He knew Xia's capabilities better than anyone else. Just the fact that she managed to "snatch" a training resource from his father with a vague mystery about her background was enough to make countless people ashamed.

Does the fact that Kexia is capable conflict with his concern for her?

There is no conflict.

When he heard that Thea had agreed to the marriage on the spot, he knew that Thea would be alright.

With her keen intellect, how could she not see the murderous intent hidden in Voldemort's few words?

Mrs. Nott?

That damned name is disgusting!

Many people may not understand why Gella, Draco, and others are so concerned about Thea becoming Theodore's fiancée.

But it becomes easy to see once you make a few assumptions.

If Thea gets married, where will she live?

If Thea is pregnant, who should she hand over her current tasks to?

If the child is born, what should his/her surname be?

Perhaps the above assumptions are not enough to make you understand, then there are two more things that have already happened—

Old Nott has been promoted three ranks and is now one of Voldemort's closest men.

Thea was also placed under semi-house arrest at Riddle's old mansion by Voldemort under the pretext of preparing for her wedding, while Theodore had begun to gradually take over Thea's work.

Thea may have been under semi-house arrest for some time, and this engagement ceremony gave Voldemort a legitimate reason.

After all, marriage is one of the most important events in life.

But... does this principle apply to Thea?

no way.

Draco knew the answer perfectly well.

So, Thea, Voldemort has already drawn his sword against you. How do you plan to deal with it?

silence?

Or... resist?

As night deepened, no one heard Draco's long sigh.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

If Thea heard Draco's question, she would surely answer: Let nature take its course.

As for the path of resistance, she had already ruled it out long before she even agreed in the meeting room.

The reason is simple: it's not worth it.

There are only two possible outcomes to resistance: success or failure.

Success would be great, but it would undoubtedly greatly increase the chances of angering Voldemort. Besides, if they rebelled this time, what about next time?

Since Voldemort has already decided to find someone to replace her, he will absolutely not give up halfway!

Considering all that, it would be more cost-effective for her to go with the flow.

Seeing Voldemort's frantic preparations these past few days, Thea could already imagine how lively the day would be.

With lots of people, it's naturally lively.

But what if there are too many people?

As she thought about it, Thea's lips curled up more and more, and she looked like someone who was in high spirits when something good happened.

Gella had just come upstairs when she saw this scene: the girl's waist-length hair was draped freely, she wore a pure white dress, had dark eyes and pale lips, and only a slight blush on her face brought her back to reality.

"You...you really intend to do nothing?"

"doing what?"

Thea turned her head in confusion, looking at Gella with a bewildered and inexplicably "naive and clueless" gaze.

"........."

Gella was so struck by Thea's beauty that it took her two seconds to react.

"Are you really going to get engaged to Theodore?"

Gella's voice was even lower than usual, and given that the semi-enclosed balcony was quite spacious, it shouldn't have been heard by anyone else.

But that's just in theory.

Just a few meters away, at the corner of a white wall, Theodore, who had originally planned to leave without disturbing the two, inexplicably stopped in his tracks.

I swear to Merlin, I'll listen to you this once!

Perhaps Theodore was too devout, but he heard that faint voice before his legs went numb.

"why not?"

At that moment, Theodore felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Besides, it's just... an engagement."

The word "engagement" lingered on Thea's lips for a long time before she finally uttered it with a stiff and distant tone.

Theodore couldn't remember how he left, only the girl's indifferent, almost cold tone.

"It's just... an engagement."

Theodore closed his eyes; he could easily picture the nonchalant way Thea said those words.

That's always been her type.

However, for him,

That's enough, no...is that so?

Looking at the ornaments he had swept all over the table and smashed to pieces on the floor, Theodore suddenly realized that he was actually quite greedy.